New York Soil Health Alliance Field Day was held at the Betts Farm in Westfield, NY on June 12, 2024 from 10am-12pm.
The LERGP partnered with NRCS soil scientists and the New York Soil Health Alliance for a day of learning about the benefits of soil health. The program began with presentations in the morning to explain the benefits of soil health in vineyard operations, introduce current research for best management practices in cover cropping in non-irrigated vineyards for water and nutrient conservation, and more.
After lunch, NRCS soil scientists gave soil pit demonstrations and discussed how compacted soils affect grapevine root growth and water infiltration. Dr. Debbie Aller from Cornell’s New York Soil Health Alliance demonstrated the rain simulation truck that allows growers to visually understand runoff, infiltration, and leachate.
We ended the afternoon with a demonstration of the mow and throw technique by Bob Betts as a termination tool for cover crops using the biomass as a mulch under vine. Attendees were able to listen to an overview of the floor management research for nutrient and water conservation in non-irrigated commercial vineyards that the New York Farm Viability Institute funded and see how the treatments perform.
NRCS soil scientists’ discussion on soil profiles, compaction, and infiltration
Soil health rain simulation station to demonstration runoff, infiltration, and leachate